South Africa: Constitutional Law & Human Rights

An NGO in the South African "Poor People's Alliance." The site --in English and IsiZulu-- includes an archive of news reports, photos, videos, press releases, and organizational documents. "[Begun in Durban in early 2005] in terms of the numbers of people mobilised, [it claims to be] the largest organisation of the militant poor in post-apartheid South Africa."

"[Founded in 1991] The African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (ACCORD) is an international civil-society organisation working throughout Africa to bring appropriate African solutions to the challenges posed by conflict on our continent."

"...publishes peer-reviewed contributions dealing with human rights related topics of relevance to Africa, Africans and scholars of Africa. The Journal appears twice a year, in March and October."
See also: Centre for Human Rights.

"The Centre for Civil Society was established in the Faculty of Community and Development Disciplines in July 2001 ... committed to the following vision: strengthening the non-profit and voluntary sector by disseminating information to the sector itself, and by building networks and encouraging collaboration both within the sector and between it and researchers and teachers in Higher Education institutions around the country..."

The site offers general information about the research projects, other activities, and publications of the centre---online journals and reports. "[Founded in 1968, formerly Centre for Intergroup Studies] the CCR seeks to contribute towards a just peace in South Africa and elsewhere in Africa by promoting constructive, creative and co-operative approaches to the resolution of conflict and the reduction of violence."

The website offers information about projects and contacts; plus related links. "The CRLS promotes the land and labour interests of men and women farm workers in the Western, Eastern and Northern Cape through training, information dissemination, research, advocacy, legal intervention and development facilitation."

The CSVR site includes an extensive library of online reports and news on various topics relating to South African civil society, criminal justice, security, and human rights; plus a lengthy list of related web links. "[Founded in 1989] The CSVR is a multi-disciplinary South African non-governmental organisation....dedicated to making a meaningful contribution to peaceful and fundamental transformation in South Africa, and in the Southern African region."

"... child policy research and advocacy in South Africa. Our activities focus on key challenges to the well-being of South Africa's children: poverty, inequality, HIV/AIDS, high infant and child mortality and morbidity, violence and abuse, and limited voice."

CHRI reports and excerpts from South African news media. "The CHRI is a non-partisan independent international non-governmental organisation. Human rights education and advocacy are at the core of all CHRI's activities, and the aims and ends of its reports and investigations."

Community Agency for Social Enquiry (CASE) (Braamfontein, Johannesburg, South Africa)

"The CASE is an applied research NGO, working in the socio-economic, political and development fields in South Africa. Established in 1985 and operating nationally, CASE has staff members in Gauteng, the Western Cape, and KwaZulu-Natal. Its Board of Directors consists of representatives of NGOs, churches, and business, as well as senior academics and civil servants."

"...formerly known as the National Consortium for Refugee Affairs...comprised of a number of member organisations including legal practitioners, research units, and refugee and migrant communities. The Consortium's mandate involves strengthening the partnerships between refugee and migrant service providers to provide improved co-ordination of activities."

In English: as adopted by the Constitutional Assembly on May 8 1996, amended October 11, 1996, and signed by President Nelson Mandela on December 10, 1996; plus links to previous constitutions of the 1990s and related information.

"...FXI was formed in January 1994 from a merger of two organisations involved in campaigning for freedom of expression during the apartheid years, namely the Campaign for Open Media (COM) and the Anti-Censorship Action Group (ACAG). Recently, the FXI also established the Media Defence Fund to sponsor freedom of expression court cases on behalf of media who are not able to afford the legal costs."

"GL is committed to a Southern Africa in which women and men are able to participate equally in all aspects of public and private life...achieved through three closely linked programmes: media, governance and gender justice."

Current news on elections and related constitutional issues. "The new Electoral Commission was established in terms of Chapter 9 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa and the Electoral Commission Act 51 of 1996. The Electoral Commission Act provides for an open and transparent process for the nomination of Electoral Commissioners in order to ensure the constitutionally guaranteed independence of the Commission."

"The Institute for Justice and Reconciliation was launched in May 2000 and is self-consciously located in post-TRC (Truth and Reconciliation Commission) South Africa. The Institute is committed to using the insights generated through its work in South Africa to engage in dialogue with other African countries."

"...formed in 1995 by survivors and families of victims of the political conflict of South Africa's apartheid past. It was set up in response to the pending Truth and Reconciliation Commission by victims who felt the Commission should be used to speak out about the past to ensure that such violations never occur again."

The website features information about LHR services and programs; plus human rights news. "Started in 1979, LHR [a non-profit NGO] rapidly achieved a proud record of fighting oppression and abuse of human rights under apartheid. LHR later helped usher in the transition to democracy through its voter education and monitoring in 1994."

A private law firm offers this searchable index to selected online South African legislation (historical and current), with free access to tables of contents, summaries, and unamended texts.Warning: For many documents, access to the full text may be obtainable only upon request from the firm.
--See also: SAFLII-Southern African Legal Information Institute below.

"...founded [in 2010] by a group of South Africans with experience in research, academia, policy-making and governance who saw the need to create a platform of engagement around strategic issues facing South Africa."
--Documents

"Appointed by the President of the Republic of South Africa, Mr Jacob Zuma...to investigate matters of public, national and international concern arising out of the tragic incidents at the Lonmin Mine in Marikana, in the North West Province which took place on about Saturday 11 August to Thursday 16 August, 2012 which led to the deaths of approximately 44 people, more than 70 persons being injured, approximately 250 people being arrested."

"...an activist organisation and law centre that promotes the realisation of Constitutional Rights and Social Justice – through legal, research and organising support to working class people, communities and social movements."
--See especially: Publications: journals, special reports, advocacy briefs, etc.

"...established in November 2008 in response to the need for greater collaboration and cooperation amongst organisations and individuals working to achieve a culture of openness and accountability through the effective implementation of the Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA) in South Africa."
--See especially: PAIA CSN Shadow Report 2014
...and earlier reports "to complement the work done by the South African Human Rights Commission in monitoring the implementation of PAIA."

"Parliamentary Bulletin is a briefing for ANC Parliamentarians, to inform on key policy and political campaigning issues. It is intended to be a mini-fact file, a summary of important points and a guide to the key political lines that ANC Parliamentarians should be using in their public statements, speeches, articles and press releases."

"...a non-profit organisation providing professional and dedicated socio-economic rights assistance to individuals, communities and social movements in South Africa. SERI conducts applied research, engages with government, advocates for policy and legal reform, facilitates civil society coordination and mobilisation, conducts popular education and training, and litigates in the public interest. The SERI Law Clinic is registered as a public interest law centre."
--See especially: Research reports ; Working papers ; and, Other publications

South African Constitutional Assembly (via University of Cape Town, Faculty of Law)

"The SAHRC is ... [a] national institution, which derives its powers from the Constitution and the Human Rights Commission Act of 1994. The SAHRC works with government, civil society and individuals, both nationally and abroad, to fulfill its Constitutional mandate and serves as both a watchdog and a visible route through which people can access their rights."

See also: SAFLII below. "This website for Bills of Rights Comparative Law Materials provides access to constitutional law cases from jurisdictions around the world. Initially, it was intended for South African jurists, as an aid to interpreting the 1996 Constitution of South Africa. The constitution provides that the Constitutional Court may consider constitutional law from legal systems throughout the world."

This web site offers free access to the 87 episodes of this SABC TV news series; plus a digital document archive on the TRC, including transcripts from hearings and workshops. "Broadcast by the South African Broadcasting Corporation every week between 21 April 1996 and 29 March 1998, the 87-part 'Truth Commission Special Report' television series offers invaluable insights into the work of the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission during this period."

Click on "Documents" and "Collections--United Nations".
Documents, chronologies, speeches by the chairs of the "UN Special Committee against Apartheid", and articles by E.S. Reddy about the UN and the international anti-apartheid movement.

This site includes general information about the Law Faculty, plus: decisions and judgements of the SA Constitutional Court, Supreme Court of Appeal, Labour Court, Land Claims Court, and a link to the SA Law Commission web site.

General announcements on conferences and events; and internet resouces for women activists on social and economic rights, HIV/AIDS and other health issues, etc. "Women's Net aims to empower South African women to use information and communications technologies (ICTs) towards advancing women's equality. It is a dynamic source of locally generated information and discussion on gender issues."